Staff shortage in Waimairi

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33653, 1 October 1974, Page 18

Staff shortage in Waimairi

A shortage of staff was seriously affecting the works programme, the County Engineer (Mr A. J. W. Lamb) told a meeting of the Waimairi County Council last evening.

A check on August 27, he said, had shown that five drivers and five labourers were needed, and that if another footpath gang had been working another 11 men could have been used. The staff total was 53, with 63 desirable, and work for as many as 74. In the waterworks department, there were 21 workers instead of the desirable 25, and possible 28. For reserves, there were 14 men, with a desirable 16, and a need for up to 29 between September and March. High wages obtainable elsewhere were the chief cause of men leaving, and it was disturbing, Mr Lamb said that of 81 drivers and labourers, 40 had been on the staff less than six months, and 53 for less than two years —’ more than half for less than a year. More time was needed to tell the men what was required of them, and more supervision was needed. He quoted weekly gross wages or labourers and drivers

ranging between $6B and $9l. The council agreed to appoint another works overseer, and, after hearing Mr Lamb say that the men generally were not interested in working longer hours, decided to prepare a case, in association with other local bodies, for submission to the Industrial Commission for a review of wage rates.